But if I did that I would have to quit the gangway, and that, naturally, I was not pleased to do. It was the strategic point. It was not an overbrilliant plan, or an extremely reliable one, that I finally hit upon; but it was the best I could do under the circumstances. I caught sight of a shaggy-browed deck hand who had stepped from the freight hold and stood, lounging idly, waiting for the rest of the crew to begin unloading. I had replenished my cigar supply at Boston; so I approached the man diplomatically. “My friend,” said I, “I’m almost positive that some people I am very anxious to see took this steamer; but I haven’t been able to find them. Would you mind watching out for them while I step aboard? I certainly don’t want to miss them.” He accepted the proffered smoke greedily enough; but scowled at me from under his cap visor as he grunted: “How’n tarnation’ll I be able to know ’em? What d’ they look like?” “A man with a sort of stoop to his shoulders, and a mighty pretty girl,” I replied. “Anyway, you can’t fail, for if anybody shows up, it must be that----” I stopped, for he was scratching his pate in thick-headed brain-working. “Hold on thar!” he finally growled. “Why, dang me, man, they ain’t aboard no longer!” “Ain’t aboard?” I cried. “Why, I could swear they haven’t yet crossed that gangplank!” “Right you are there, my lad,” he agreed; “for them there and that same pair o’ individools must be the folks as got into a launch out yonder in the harbor when we were stopped by the fog.” “Into a launch!” I echoed frenziedly as a sharp memory shot through me. Surely the couple did have a uniform method of boarding and quitting vessels. “Better see the purser about it,” added the fellow; “there’s his window in there. He knows more about it as I do.” He pointed aboard the boat where the brass grill of that officer’s office showed up plainly enough. And immediately I strode across the plank and up to the purser, who was figuring at his desk. He acknowledged my nod genially, and asked what he could do for me. “If you don’t mind,” said I hurriedly, “will you tell me all you know about that couple that quitted the steamer for a launch back there in the harbor?” “Quitted the steamer for a launch?” he cried, in the utmost bewilderment, while he looked at me as though he thought I was demented. “Why, nobody did.” “That deck hand there----” I started to explain as I turned, and indicated where I had come from. But I got no further; for, at that very moment, I saw the very same deck hand steadying a girl across the freight gangway. I lost an important minute in my consternation at having been thus so easily outwitted; and I reached the wharf again just in time to see him help her quickly into a taxicab at the pier end. But, before he sprang in himself, he grinned back over his shoulder at me delightedly.